Free "wild" food in your garden!

adagirl


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 371

Message Posted:
14/11/2009 13:39

Following on from another thread regarding the edibility of the common oxalis weed, I wonder if anyone with a prickly pear cactus has tried eating the "leaves/ paddles" (modified branches) of this huge cactus? After researching some mexican recipes on the net I read that in Mexico and parts of Texas, these "leaves" are readily available in the shops for consumption both fresh and in tins and jars.



Well, I have a huge monster in my garden so I snapped off (carefully) a couple of smallish juicy looking paddles, removed the thorns and cooked it with an authentic chilli. It was actually very nice!! You can also cook it like green beans, (slice the prepared paddles into strips) and cook in UNSALTED water. It has a taste similar to green beans with a sprinkling of lemon. Has anyone else eaten something unusual growing in their garden? I would love to know!!

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
14/11/2009 13:57

adagirl

I quite often eat prickly pears but they are hard work to pick, and to eat I would put them on par with pomegranite fruit, both nutritious but hard work.

AJ

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
14/11/2009 14:10

yes I tried it, very fiddly, but never cooked it yet x

adagirl


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 371

Message Posted:
14/11/2009 14:11

I eat the fruit as well, but find it a bit tasteless to be honest. Please try the leaves though!! They are fiddly to prepare but worth a try!! Try this link:



http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/1984-05-01/Cactus-Its-Edible.aspx

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
14/11/2009 14:30

Didnt read the thread about oxalis - can someone recap or point me in the right direction - I'd love to be able to use it instead of weeding it!!